Abstract: 48 sequences of hypervariable segment Ⅰ (HVSⅠ) in mitochondrial DNA c ontrol region from Xinjiang Xibe population were analyzed, in which, 35 haplotyp es were found by 43 polymorphic sites. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide di versity are 0.982 and 0.018, respectively, and the mean of nucleotide number dif ferences is 5.922. When the data from relevant populations published were considered, it was found that the Xibe ethnic population presented the closest genetic affinity to ancient Tuoba Xianbei population and, also showed a closer genetic affinity to the nomadic populations from northern China, suggesting that the Xibe people may be the descendants of the ancient Tuoba Xianbei.

Key words: mitochondrial DNA, haplotype, Xibe population, Tuoba Xianbei